Dfl 962 

1920 
Copy 1 




CONSTITUTION 



AND 



STATE, LOCAL and 
BRANCH BY-LAWS 



OF THE 



Friends of Irish Freedom 



Bevlfted by the * 

IRISH RACE CONTENTION 

February 23 and S3, 1911> 

And amended by the 

NATIONAL COUNCIL 

October 14, 19S0 




CONSTITUTION 

AND 

STATE, LOCAL and 
BRANCH BY-LAWS 

OF THE 

Friends of Irish Freedom 



Revised by the 

IRISH RACE CONVENTION 

February 22 and 23, 1919 

And Amended by the National Council 
October 14, 1920 



DIARMUID LYNCH 

National Secretary 

280 Broadway- 
New York City 



PRESIDENT WILSON • K ^q^ 



^kE* 



To Congress, April 2, 1917, on declara- 
tion of War: 

"But the right is more precious thanlpeace, 
and we shall fight for the things which we havo 
always carried nearest our hearts — for democ- 
racy, for the right of those who submit to 
authority to have a voice in their own govern- 
ments, for the rights and liberties of small na- 
tions, for a universal dominion of right by 
such a concert of free peoples as shall bring 
peace and safety to ALL nations and make 
the world itself at last free." 

At New Yor^, September 27, 1918: 

"Shall the military power of any nation or 
group of nations be suffered to determine the 
fortunes of peoples over whom they have no 
right to rule except the right of force? 

"Shall strong nations be free to wrong weak 
nations and make them subject to their pur- 
pose and interests? 

"Shall peoples be ruled and dominated, even 
in their own internal affairs, by authority and 
irresponsible force or by their own will and 
choice? 

"Shall there be a common standard of right 
and privilege for ALL peoples and nations or 
shall the strong do as they will and the weak 
suffer without redress? 

"Shall the assertion of right be haphazard 
and by casual alliance, or shall there be a com- 
mon concert to oblige the observance of com- 
mon rights ? 

"No man, no group of men, chose these to 
be the issues of the struggle. They are the 
issues of it; and they must be settled — by no 
arrangement or compromise or adjustment of 
interests, but definitely and once for all and 
with a* full and unequivocal acceptance of the 
principle that the interest of the weakest is as 
sacred as the interest of the strongest." 



f! 

IRELAND'S DECLARATION OF IN- 
DEPENDENCE. PROCLAIMED 
v4 BYTHE DAIL^EIREANN, 

ro DUBLIN, JANUARY 

^ 21, 1919 

(Translation) 

''Whereas the Irish People is by right 
a free people; 

"And whereas for seven hundred years 
the Irish people has never ceased to re- 
pudiate and has repeatedly protested in 
arms against foreign usurpation; 

"And whereas English rule in this 
country is, and always has been, based 
upon force and fraud and maintained by 
military occupation against the declared 
will of the people; 

"And w^hereas the Irish Republic was 
proclaimed in Dublin on Easter Monday, 
1916, by the Irish Republican Army, act- 
ting on behalf of the Irish people; 

"And whereas the Irish people is re- 
solved to secure and maintain its com- 
plete Independence in order to promote 
the common weal, to re-establish justice, 
to provide for future defense, to insure 
a peace at home and good will with all 
nations and to constitute a National 
policy based upon the people's will, with 
equal right and equal opportunity for 
every citizen; 

"And whereas at the threshold of a 
new era in history the Irish electorate 
has in the General Election of Decem- 
ber, 1918, seized the first occasion to 



declare by an overwhelming majority its 
firm allegiance to the Irish Republic; 

"Now, therefore,, we, the elected Repre- 
sentatives of the ancient Irish people, in 
National Parliament assembled, do, in 
the name of the Irish Nation, ratify the 
^establishment of the Irish Republic and 
pledge ourselves and our people to make 
this Declaration effective by every means 
at our command. 

**To ordain that the elected Repre- 
sentatives of the Irish people alone have 
power to make laws binding on the peo- 
ple of Ireland, and that the Irish Parlia- 
ment is the only Parliament to which 
that people will give its allegiance. 

*'We solemnly declare foreign Govern- 
ment in Ireland to be an invasion of our 
National Right, which we will never 
tolerate, and we demand the evacuation 
of our country by the English garrison; 

"We claim for our National Independ- 
ence the recognition and support of every 
Free Nation of the world, and we pro- 
claim that Independence to be a condi- 
tion precedent to international peace 
hereafter; 

"In the name of the Irish people wc 
humbly commit our destiny to Almighty 
God, who gave our fathers the courage 
and determination to persevere through 
centuries of a ruthless tyranny, and 
strong in the justice of the cause which 
they have handed down to us, we ask 
His divine blessing on this, the last stage 
of the struggle which we have pledged 
ourselves to carry through to Freedom.'* 



FRIENDS OF IRISH FREEDOM 



NATIONAL OFFICERS 



N^lTIONAL. r RESIDENT 

Rt. Rev. Michael J. Gallagher. D.D. 
Detroit, ^lich. 



NATIONAI. TKEA8UREK 

Michael B. McGreal. New Haven. Conn. 

NATIONAL, SECRETARY 

Diarmuid Lynch. New York City, N. Y, 

NATIONAL TRUSTEES 

John A. Murphy, Buffalo. X. Y., Chairman, 
Joseph McGarrity, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Thomas Hughes Kelly, New York, N. Y. 
Richard W. Wolfe, Chicago, 111. 
Thomas J. Maloney, Jersey City, N. J. 
Thomas P. v ">oney, Providence, R. I. 
Richard F. Daiton. New York City, N. Y. 



5 



OFFICIAL FORMS 
Supplied By 
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 

lA. Membership Application, (1921.) 

2. List of Regular Branch Officers. 

2A. List of Associate Branch Officers. 

2B. List of Honorary Branch Officers. 

3A. Associate Branch Application. 

SB. Honorary Branch Application. 

4A. HoAv to iToriii a Regular Branch. 

5A. Official List of Branch Names. 

6A. Renewal Membership Application. (1921.) 

7A. Financial Secretary's Index Card. 

8B. Local Council Delegates' List. (Regular 
Branch.) 

SC. Local Council Delegates' List. (Associate 
Branch.) 

9A. Associate Branch Renewal Application. 
(1921.) 
10 A. List of Applicants for Regular Member- 
ship. 
11 A. Regular Branch Application. (1921.) 
12. Change of Address. (Regular Members.) 
13A. Local Council Executive List. 
14 A. State Council Executive List. 

15. Application for Membership Transfer. 

16. Membership Transfer Certificate. 
17A. Local Council Permit. 

18A. Special Organization Circular. (1921.) 

19. Financial Secretary's Monthly Statement 

to Local Council. 

20. Credential — Regular Delegate* to Local 

Council. 

21. Credential — Alternate Delegagte to Local 

Council. 

22. I«ecal Council Quarterly Reports. 

23. Branch Treasurer's Annual Report. 

24. Organizer's Report. 

Branch Certificate. 

Branch and Index Books. 

Branch Treasurer's Voucher B«ok. 



CONSTITUTION 

of the 

FRIENDS OF IRISH FREEDOM 



ARTICLE I. 

The name of this organization sha41 be 
FRIENDS OF IRISH FREEDOM. 

ARTICLE II. 

The objects of this organization are: 

(a) To maintain Americans position as 
the world-champion of human freedom, 
by preserving American ideals of liberty 
and upholding the principles on which 
the Government of the United States was 
founded. 

(b) To uphold the right of the Re- 
pTiblic of Ireland to international recog- 
nition, and to inform the American peo- 
ple to the end that the Government of 
these United States, applying American 
principles, shall accord full official recog- 
nition to the elected Government of the 
Republic of Ireland. 

(c) To diffuse a more intimate knowl- 
edge of Irish history and the history of 
the Irish Race in America, and stimulate 
a just pride of Irish ideals and achieve- 
ments, thus enabling our people to con- 
tribute in the highest degree to the en- 
richment of American culture. 

(d) To develop the economic resources 
of Ireland and to promote direct trade 
relations between the U. S. and Ireland. 

(e) To promote the revival of the 
Language, Music and Customs of Ireland. 



ARTICLE III. 

Membership in the Friends of Irish 
Freedom shall be open to all those who 
uphold the Republic of Ireland, who 
promise to work for its international 
recognition and otherwise accept this 
Constitution. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Members Entering Individually > (a) 
In a locality where no Branch exists, in- 
dividuals may be enrolled as members 
of the Friends of Irish Freedom on sub- 
mitting signed application on Form No. 
lA declaring acceptance of this Constitu- 
tion, and the payment of Two Dollars 
national membership fee direct to the Na- 
tional Secretary; fee shall be renewable 
on the first of January in each j'ea'r 
thereafter. Such members shall there- 
upon be affiliated with the branch nearest 
to their respective place of residence. 

(b) Subsequent to the formation of a 
Regular Branch in their immediate lo- 
cality, said members shall on due notice 
become enrolled members of the local 
branch. Otherwise their national mem- 
bership shall become void. 

ARTICLE V. 

Regular Branches: (a) Twelve or more 
persons who personally sign membership 
applications on the prescribed form 
(Form No. lA) declarmg acceptance of 
this Constitution and who pay the sum 
of Two Dollars each (National member- 
ship fee), shall, acting under tlfie au- 

8 



thority of a Local or State Council, or 
of the National Executive, be entitled to 
establish a Regular Branch of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom. 

(b) The Financial Secretary shall in 
the first instance retain for Branch and 
Local Council purposes fifty cents out of 
each national membership fee. He shall 
forward to the National Secretary the 
balance of said fees, viz., $L50 for each 
applicant, together with the original 
membership applications, also a separate 
list on Form No. LOA giving the name 
and address of each applicant. 

(c) To secure recognition of a Branch, 
as such. Branch AfHliation Fee of Five 
Dollars shall be paid to the National 
Secretary in addition to the individual 
membership fees. 

(d) The Branch Secretary shall also 
furnish to the National Secretary, to- 
gether with the foregoing, a list (on 
Form No. 2) in duplicate of the tempor- 
ary or permanent Branch officers. 

(e) Affiliation fee from Branch, and 
National membership fees as specified in 
Section (a) shall be renewable on the 
first of January in each year thereafter. 
Form No. 6A shall be completed (instead 
of^Form No. lA) by the Branch Financial 
Secretary for each member thus renewing 
membership, and forwarded to the Na- 
tional Secretary in the usual manner. 

(f) Each Branch shall be known by 
a name approved by the National Execu- 
tive; said name shall not be that of any 
living person, nor of any place. 

(g) In a local Council area no two 



Branches shall be known by the same 
name; a written permit on Form No. 17 
authorizing the establishment of a Branch 
must be secured from the Local Council 
Secretary and forwarded to the National 
Secretary. The decision of a local Coun- 
cil, wnth respect to the formation of a 
Branch, may be vetoed by the State Coun- 
cil or National Executive. 

(h) Applications for membership from 
a locality where a Regular -Branch or 
Branches exist, must be submitted 
through a Branch and not direct to the 
National Secretary. 

(i) Each individual who qualifies for 
national membership shall receive a 
National Membership Card, signed -by 
the National Secretary, for the year for 
which fee is paid. Cards for those join- 
ing through a Branch shall be issued 
through the Branch Financial Secretary. 

(j) Unless and until an individual has 
complied with the national membership 
requirements and corresponding National 
Membership Cprd has been issued he or 
she shall not be eligible for initiation as 
a member of a Regular Branch. 

(k) Individuals shall only retain mem- 
bership in one Regular Branch of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom. 

(1) Any member desiring a transfer 
from one Branch to another shall make 
application to the National Secretary on 
Form No. 15. If and when the transfer 
shall be granted the Secretaries of both 
Branches and the State Secretary shall 
be notified by the National Secretary. 

(m) When the membership of any 

10 



Branch reaches one thousand, i new 
iBranch shall be formed therefrom. 

(n) Each Branch shall be at liberty to 
fix the dues payable to it by its own 
members, apart from the National 
membership fee. 

(o) Regular Branches shall adopt a 
uniform system of bookkeeping as di- 
rected by the National Executive. 

(p) Each city and town where a 
Branch or Branches exist shall be sys- 
tematically canvassed, according to par- 
ishes or districts, for new members and 
for the circulation of educational litera- 
ture issued or approved by the National 
Council, National Executive or State 
Council. 

(q) Secretaries of Regular Branches 
shall submit reports monthly to the 
Local Councils. Also written report 
quarterly, direct to the National and State 
Secretaries which shall show the finan- 
cial standing and general activities of 
their respective Branches. 

(r) The Treasurer of each Regular 
Branch on January first each year shall 
submit to the National Secretary and to 
the State Secretary a financial statement 
for the preceding year, on the form si^)- 
plied by National Headquarters. 

(s) A duly authorized representative 
of a State Council or Local Council shall 
have the power to inspect the accounts 
and vouchers, and to investigate all mat- 
ters pertaining to each Regular Branch 
vvithin the jurisdiction of said Councils. 
The National Secretary or other person 
delegated by the National Executive 

11 



shall have similar power with respect to 
any Regular Branch, Local Council, or 
State Council. 

(t) Resolutions and literature ema- 
nating from any Branch pertaining to 
the principles or policy of the Friends of 
Irish Freedom shall not be published, 
unless and until approved by a Local or 
State Council, or by the National Exec- 
utive. 

(u) A Branch' while under suspension 
by a vote of a Local Council, State Coun- 
cil, or of the National Executive shall 
not function as a Branch of the Friends 
of Irish Freedom, and shall not be en- 
titled to representation on a Local Coun- 
cil, or at a State or National Convention. 

(v) Should a Branch be expelled by 
vote of a State Council or of the National 
Executive, it shall thereupon cease to 
function as a Branch of the Friends of 
Irish Freedom, and all of its members 
forfeit membership thereby. With the 
sanction of the National Executive, the 
Branch may be reorganized, and those 
of its members who have not by act, word 
or vote, been guilty of any breach of dis- 
cipline may be reinstated in good stand- 
ing therein or in some other Branch. 

(w) Whenever any irregularity occurs 
in an election, or any dispute arises, 
the right of appeal is, in the first in- 
stance, from the Branch to the Local 
Council, and afterwards, if necessity ex- 
ists, to the State Council; and further, 
upon certification by at least two mem- 
bers of the last appellate tribunal, to the 
National Executive, whose decision, shall 

12 



be final. Where no Local or State Coun- 
cil exists, the appeal shall be direct to 
the National Executive. 

ARTICLE VL 

Associate Branches: (a) Any Irish- 
American Society, or Branch of an}" 
Irish-American organization in the United 
States which upholds the Republic 
of Ireland and promises to work for 
its international recognition, and which 
otherwise accepts this Constitution in so 
far as it applies to Associate Branches, 
may affiliate as an Associate Branch of 
the Friends of Irish Freedom, on submit- 
ting an Application on Form No. 3A, in 
compliance with the foregoing, and on 
the payment of an affiliation fee of Five 
Dollars to the National Secretary. Name 
and address of the President, Treasurer 
and Secretary shall at the same time be 
forwarded in duplicate to the National 
Secretary on Form 2A. 

(b) This Fee shall be renewable on the 
first of January in each year thereafter. 

(c) Each Associate Branch shall 
affiliate with its respective State and 
Local Councils in accordance with Arti- 
cles XV and XVII. 

(d) The payment of any further 
moneys by an Associate Branch to the 
Friends of Irish Freedom shall be volun- 
tary on the part of the said Associate 
Branch except as regards moneys raised 
for any special purpose by the Associate 
Branch voluntarily acting under the di- 
rection of the National Convention or 

13 



National Council of the Friends of Irish 
Freedom. 

(e) Associate Branches shall not be at 
liberty to use the name "Friends of Irish 
Freedom" in connection with any public 
function, except with permission of, and 
upon conditions laid down by the Na- 
tional Executive. 

(f) Individuals belonging to an Asso- 
ciate Branch ^re eligible to obt.,in regu- 
lar membership in the Friends of Irish 
Freedom in the appointed manner. 

ARTICLE VII. 

Honorary Branches: (a) Any other or- 
ganization, or Branch of same, in the 
United States which upholds the Republic 
of Ireland and promises to work 
for its international recognition and 
which otherwise accepts this Constitution 
in so far as it applies to Honorary 
Branches, may affiliate without fee as an 
Honorary Branch of the Friends of Irish 
Freedom on submitting an application on 
Form No. 3B in compliance with the 
foregoing. Name and address of the 
President, Treasurer and Secretary shall, 
at the same time, be forwarded to the 
National Secretary on Form No. 2B. 

(b) An^Honorary Branch shall not be 
entitled to representation on Local Coun- 
cils or at State Conventions. 

(c) The payment of any moneys by 
an Honorary Branch to the Friends of 
Irish Freedom shall be voluntary on the 
part of said Honorary Branch, except as 
regards moneys raised for any special 
purpose by the Honorary Branch volun- 

14 



tarily acting under the direction of the 
National Convention or National Coun- 
cil of the Friends of Irish Freedom. . 

(d) Honorary Branches shall not be 
at liberty to use the name ''Friends of 
Irish Freedom" in connection with any 
public function, except by permission of 
and upon conditions laid down by the 
State Council or National Executivee. 

(e) Individuals belonging to an Hon- 
orary Branch are eligible to obtain regu- 
lar membership in the Friends of Irish 
Freedom in the appointed manner. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

National Officers: (a) The Board of 
National Officers shall consist of a Presi- 
dent, eighteen Vice-Presidents, a Treas- 
urer, a Secretary and seven Trustees, 
elected by the National -Convention. 

(b) The National Council is empow- 
ered to fill vacancies in the Board of 
National Officers. Notice of such 
vacancy or vacancies shall be sent to 
each member of the National Council 
prior to the meeting at which nomina- 
tions to fill same may be made. Elec- 
tions shall take place at the subsequent 
meeting of the Council. 

ARTICLE IX. 

(a) The National President shall pre- 
side at all meetings of the National 
Council, and call the National Convention 
to order. 

(b) In the event of the death or 
resignation of the President, the avail- 

15 



able Vice-President in the order of elec- 
tion seniority- shall temporarily perform 
the duties of the President's office, except 
as otherwise provided for. 

(c) In the absence of the National 
President from any meeting of the Na- 
tional Council, said meeting shall elect 
its own chairman. 

ARTICLE X. 

National Treasurer: (a) Acting under 
instructions from the National Treasurer, 
the National Secretary shall keep a cor- 
rect record of all receipts and disburse- 
ments of the Friends of Irish Freedom, 
and issue receipts for all moneys received. 

(bj The National Treasurer shall cause 
to be deposited in the General Fund of 
the Friends of Irish Freedom all moneys 
received for the purposes of the Organiza- 
tion by him or by the National Secretar}^ 

(c) The National "treasurer shall open 
a Special Account in the name of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom in a depository 
selected by a Committee of the National 
Officers consisting of the President, 
Treasurer and Secretary, and the Board 
of Trustees. This Special Account shall 
be replenished by the National Trustees 
as required to meet disbursements order- 
ed by the National Council. 

(d) All disbursements shall be made 
either direct from the National Treas- 
urer's Special Account or from the Con- 
tingent Account of the National Secre- 
tary. The amount of this Contingent 
Account shall be fixed by the National 
Executive and it shall be replenished by 

16 



the National Treasurer in accordance 
with statements rendered to and ap- 
proved by him. 

(e) The National Treasurer shall keep 
a correct record of all moneys received 
from the National Trustees, and of all 
payments made from his Special Account. 

(f) He shall sign all drafts on the 
General Fund. 

(g) The National Treasurer shall re- 
port to the National Trustees once a 
month, or oftener if required, the finan- 
cial condition of the Organization, ana 
shall make a detailed report to the Na- 
tional C®nvention, National Council or 
National Executive when either body may 
so require. 

(h) In January of each year he shall 
submit his accounts to a firm of certified 
accountants selected by the National 
Trustees, who shall submit an itemized 
report of receipts aad expenditures for 
the preceding year. 

(i) The National Treasurer shall be 
bonded in a sum to be determined by 
the National Trustees. 

ARTICLE XI. 

(a) National Trustees: The General 
Fund into which all moneys shall be de- 
posited in the name of* the Friends of 
-#Irish Freedom shall be placed in a de- 
pository or depositories selected by a 
committee of the National officers con- 
sisting of the President, Treasurer and 
Secretary, and the Board of Trustees. It 
>hall be controlled by the National Coun- 

17 



cil and drafts on the same shall be signed 
by the National Treasurer and counter- 
signed by at least four National Trustees. 

ARTICLE XII. 

(a) The National Secretary shall keep 
the minutes of all meetings of the Na- 
tional Council and National Executive. 
He shall conduct the correspondence, and 
shall be responsible for the efficient 
transaction of all work pertaining to the 
Organization at National Headquarters 
under the direction of the National 
Executive. 

(b) He or she shall have charge of a 
Contingent Account which shall be kept 
in a depository selected by the National 
Executive, from which to make disburse- 
ments, and shall submit to the National 
Treasurer statements of such disburse- 
ments. 

(c) He shall keep a correct record of 
and issue receipts for all moneys received 
by him for the Friends of Irish Freedom; 
he shall deposit such moneys in the Gen- 
eral Fund. 

(d) The National Secretary's books 
shall be at the disposal of auditors men- 
tioned in Article X (Section h). 

(e) The National Secretary shall be 
bonded in a sum to be determined by 
the National Trustees. 

(f) He or she shall be a full-time paid 
official; salary to be fixed by the Na-* 
tional Council. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

National Council: (a) The National 

18 



CQuncil shall consist of the National 
President, National Treasurer, National 
Secretary, 18 National Vice-Presidents, 7 
National Trustees, the Chairman and 
Vice-Chairman of the National Executive, 
all of whom shall be elected by the Na- 
tional Convention, and of additional mem- 
bers as hereinafter specified. 

(b) Each State shall be represented on 
the National Council on the basis of one 
Councillor for each one thousand mem- 
bers in the State. These representatives 
shall be recommended by the delegates 
in State Convention assembled prior to 
the National Convention, and shall not 
assume office unless and until elected by 
the National Convention. 

(c) Each State shall have at least one 
representative on the National Council. 
Where no State Council exists, the 
Branches in the State shall elect dele- 
gates on the basis of representation at 
State Conventions, v^ho shall meet and 
recommend the election of a specified 
representative on the National Council 
by the National Convention. 

(d) The National Convention shall elect 
an additional number of members on 
the National Council not exceeding fifty 
per cent of the total number of Council- 
lors to which the States are entitled on 
the basis of Sections (b) and (c) ©f this 
Article. 

(e) The National Council shall be em- 
powered to co-opt, subsequent to the Na- 
tional Convention, an additional Coun- 
cillor or Councillors from any State 
whose increased membership may justify 

19 



same, on the basis of one Councillor for 
every thousand members. 

(f) Candidates for the National Council 
in accordance with Sections (b) and (c) 
may be nominated by any Branch of the 
F. O. I.' F. in the respective States. 
Nomination papers shall be signed by 
the Branch President and Secretary, and 
shall reach the State Secretary or tem- 
porary Secretar}^ of the State Convention 
at least two weeks prior to the date of 
said convention. Said Secretary shall 
thereupon compile an alphabetical list 
of the candidates and mail copy to each 
delegate at least one week prior to State 
Convention date. 

(g) Each member of the National 
Council must hold membership in a 
Regular Branch. 

(h) The National Council shall meet 
regularly once every two months on a 
fixed day. The place of meeting shall 
be decided by the Council. 

(i) Special meetings of the National 
Council may be called by the National 
President on the written request of 
twent}' members thereof, or on the order 
of the National Executive. 

(j) Twenty-five members of tiie Na- 
tional Council shall constitute a quorum, 
provided, however, that any business 
^:ransacted upon vote of less than forty 
members shall be subject to reconsidera- 
tion by a majority vote at a subsequent 
meeting. Motion for such reconsidera- 
tion need not be moved by one of those 
wlio originally voted on the question. 

(k) The National Council shall have 

20 



power to suspend or dismiss any of the 
National officers and to suspend or expel 
any of its members on a two-thirds vote 
ut a regular meeting of the Council. 
Said two-thirds vote shall exceed 30 and 
notice of motion for such suspension, 
dismissal or expulsion shall be given in 
writing at the previous regular meeting 
and all members of the Council shall be 
duly advised of such motion. 

(1) Vacancies arising from any cause 
among the National Councillors orig- 
inally recommended by a State Conven- 
tion shall be filled from a list of rive 
alternates recommended by said State 
Convention and filed at the time with the 
National Council; any other vacancy shall 
be filled by the National Council on a 
majority vote at a regular meeting. 

(m) In matters of procedure not cov- 
ered b}'- the Constitution and By Laws, 
Cushing's Manual shall be followed. / 

ARTICLE XIV. 

National Executive: (a) The National 
Executive shall consist of the Chainrxan 
and Vice Chairman, who shall be elected 
by the National Convention, the National 
President, National Treasurer, National 
Secretary, and ten other members of the 
National Council who shall be elected at 
the first meeting of the latter. It sliall 
exercise full control of the Organization 
when the National Convention @r Na- 
tional Council is not in session. 

(b) Meetings of the National Execu- 
tive shall be held at the call of the Chair- 
iiian. 

21 



(c) The National Executive shall have 
power to call on Regular Branches, Local 
Councils or State Councils of the Friends 
of Irish Freedom for special contributions 
when necessity for such arises. 

(d) The Ncitional Executive may elect 
or appoint one or more National Organ- 
izers. These organizers shall be full-time 
paid officials and shall operate under di- 
rection of the National Executive. 

(e) The National Executive may re- 
fuse admission into the Friends of Irish 
Freedom of any individual, combination 
of individuals or society; it may by a 
two-thirds vote of those present at a 
regular meeting, for the good of the 
organization, suspend any member or 
Branch from the Friends of Irish 
Freedom. The Executive shall order the 
trial of any such suspended member or 
Branch and shall appoint a time and place 
when and where such suspended mxcmber 
or Branch may be heard in his, her or its 
defense with the right to be'represented 
by Counsel v»^ho shall be a member of 
the Friends of Irish Freedom, and ad- 
duce testim.ony written or oral as he, she 
or it may see fit. The subordinate body 
or committee authorized by the National 
Executive to conduct the trial shall be 
entitled to do likewise. If the suspended 
member or Branch be found guilty of the 
charges preferred, the National Execu- 
tive shall have power to expel said mem- 
ber or Branch. No clause in the Consti- 
tution or By-Laws shall be considered as 
conflicting with the aforesaid power of 
the National Executive. 

22 



(f) Vacancies in the National Executive 
shall be filled by the National Council. 

(g) Five members of the National 
Executive shall constitute a quorum. 

(h) Should any member of the Na- 
tional Executive absent himself or her- 
self from three consecutive meetings 
without sufficient reason" the office shall 
be declared vacant and so reported at the 
next meeting of the National Council. 
The National Council shall fill the va- 
cancy at its meeting follov^ing that at 
w^hich the vacancy has been declared. 

ARTICLE XV. 

State Council: (a) A State Council 
shall consist of a State President, State^ 
Vice-President, State Treasurer, State 
Secretary and seven other Councillors 
elected annually by a State Convention. 
All members of the State Council shall 
be regular members of the Friends of 
Irish Freedom. 

(b) In the event of any State failing 
to elect a State Council as specified in 
clause (a) the National Council may ap- 
point a temporary State Council. 

(c) A State Council, to attain the ob- 
jects set forth in Article II shall pay spe- 
cial attention to the organization of Reg- 
ular Branches, the affiliation of Associate 
and Honorary Branches, and shall be 
responsible for the progress and well- 
being of the organization as a whole in 
its respective State. It shall supervise 
the educational and publicity work of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom therein. 

(d) The operations of the State Coun- 

23 



cil shall be subject to review by the Na- 
tional Executive and National Council. 

(e) Each State Council may elect or 
appoint one or more State Organizers. 
The National Executive shall be duly 
notified of such election or appointment. 

(f) Each Regular Branch shall affiliate 
'<^nth its respective State Council. The 
National Secretary shall refund to each 
State Treasurer on or before the fifteenth 
day of April, July, October and January 
in each year, a sum representing fifty 
cents for each membership fee received 
from each respective State during the 
preceding quarter. 

(g) Each State Secretary shall regu- 
larly receive from the National Secretary 
the names and addresses of all applicants 
as per lists furnished in accordance with 
Article V, Section (b), by the Branch 
Secretaries in the respective States. 

(h) Each Associate Branch in a State 
shall affiliate with the State Council with- 
in thirty days after the date of National 
affiliation; it shall pay to the State Treas- 
urer an affiliation fee of Five Dollars. 
Renewal fees are payable on the first of 
January in each year thereafter. 

(i) Each Local Council in the State 
shall affiliate with the State Council and 
pay into the Treasury, of the latter an 
annual assessment of Five Dollars; this 
assessment shall be payable on the first 
day of April or within thirty days after 
the date of organization of such Local 
Council. 

(j) Any Regular Branch, Associate 
Branch or Local Council failing to com- 

24 



ply with the foregoing provisions shall 
thereby forfeit its representation at its 
respective State Convention and at the 
National Convention. Further restric- 
tions may also be enforced. 

(k) A State Council shall not afBliate 
any Branch unless and until notified by 
the National Secretary that said Branch 
has been recognized by National Head- 
quarters. ^ 

(\) A State Council, as the result of a 
trial conducted by a Local Council, may 
by a two-thirds vote at a regular meet- 
ing, or at a special meeting called for the 
purpose, suspend or expel any individual 
or Branch within its jurisdiction. If the 
trial be instituted by the State Council 
in the first instance, the regulations laid 
down in Article XIV, Section (e) shall 
apply. The decision of a State or Local 
Council is subject to the veto of the Na- 
tional Executive. 

(m) Any member of a State Council 
not devoting proper attention to the 
duties pertaining to his or her of^fice, or 
guilty of conduct derogatory to the inter- 
ests of the Friends of Irish Freedom, may 
be removed from the State Council by 
a two-thirds vote at any regular meeting 
of the State Council or National Council, 
provided that notice of such motion be 
given at the previous regular meeting of 
the State Council or National Council 
respectively and duly communicated to 
each member of those respective Coun- 
cils and to the State Councillor involved. 

(n) Should a member of a State Coun- 
cil, subsequent to election as such, be- 

25 



come a ISfational Councillor and thereby 
increase the number of National Coun- 
cillors on the State Council to more than 
four, said Councillor thereby forfeits his 
seat on the State Council. 

(o) Vacancies arising from any cause 
shall be filled by co-option by the State 
Council on a majority vote at a regular 
meeting. Notice of co-option shall be 
given to each member of the council at 
least one week in advance of the meeting 
at which the vacancy is to be filled. 

ARTICLE XVI 

State Finance Committee: Each State 
shall have a Finance Committee appoint- 
ed by the State Council. Its duties shall 
be to raise funds for needed activities, 
under the direction of the State Council 
or National Executive. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

Local Council: (a) In any City or 
Town where three or more Regular 
Branches exist, a Local Council, which 
shall direct and control the working of 
said Branches, may be established, sub- 
ject to the approval of the State Council 
or of the National Executive. 

(b) Adjacent townships may be 
grouped for the purpose of forming a 
Local Council. 

(c) All Regular and Associate Branches 
in a district governed by a Local 
Council, shall affiliate with said Council. 

(d) Each Regular Branch shall pay to 
the Treasurer of its respective Local 

26 



Council on or before the fifteenth day of 
each month a sum representing twenty- 
five cents (25c) for each member whose 
membership fee or renewal membership 
fee has been paid during the preceding 
month. 

(e) Each Associate Branch shall pay 
to the Treasurer of its respective Local 
CouncH an affiliation fee of Five Dollars 
within thirty days after the date of its 
affiliation with National Headquarters. 
This fee shall be renewable on the first 
of January each year thereafter. 

(f) Any Regular or Associate Branch 
failing to comply with the foregoing pro- 
visions shall thereby forfeit its repre- 
sentation on its respective Local Council, 
at its respective State Convention and at 
the National Convention. Further re- 
strictions may also be enforced. 

(g) A Local Council shall not affiliate 
any Branch unless and until notified by 
the National Secretary or State Secretary 
that said Branch has been recognized by 
National Headquarters. 

(h) A Local Council shall consist of 
delegates from Regular Branches in its 
district on the following basis: 

One delegate from a Branch having 
less than 50 members, 2 delegates for 50 
members^ 3 delegates for 100, and one 
additional delegate for each 50 members 
in excess of 100. 

Each Associate Branch in the district 
shall be entitled to one delegate on the 
Local Council. 

All delegates shall be elected by bal- 
lot by their respective Branches. 

27 



(i) The Executive of a Local Council 
shall consist of a President, three Vice- 
Presidents, Recorder, Corresponding 
and Financial Secretary, and Treasurer, 
elected annually' by ballot at regular 
meeting of the Council. When the 
Council is not in session, the Executive 
thereof shall exercise the powers of the 
Council. 

(j) Only duly accredited delegates to 
a Local Council, who also hold Regular 
membership in the Friends of Irish Free- 
dom, shall be eligible for election on a 
Local Council Executive. 

(k) A Local Council shall hold two 
regular business meetings each month. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

National Convention: (a) A National 

Convention of the Friends of Irish Free- 
dom shall be held biennially, or oftener 
in the discretion of the National Council; 
date and place to be decided by the Na- 
tional Executive. 

(b) The basis of representation at said 
Convention is as follows: Branches shall 
be affiliated with National Headquarters 
at least two months prior to the date of 
said Convention. 

(c) Each regular branch witii a mem- 
bership of twenty-five or less, in good 
standing two months prior to Convention 
date, shall be entitled to two delegates 
and to one additional delegate for each 
additional fifty members. 

(d) Each Associate ' Branch in good 
standing shall 'be entitled to two dele- 
gates. 

28 



(e) Each Honorary Branch shall be 
entitled to one delegate. 

(f) Each Local Council shall be en- 
titled to two delegates at the National 
Convention. 

(g) All delegates repres'^nting 
Branches and Local Councils shall be 
elected by ballot at a regular or special 
meeting thereof. 

(h) The members of the National and 
State Councils shall be ex-officio members 
of the National Convention v^ith all 
the prerogatives of delegates. 

(iX Notices of motions, or of proposed 
amendments to the Constitution shall 
reach the National Secretary at least two 
weeks in advance of Convention date. 

(j) The National Convention may in 
the discretion of the National Executive 
of the Friends of Irish Freedom be 
called as an ''Irish Race Convention." In 
this event the National Executive shall 
be empowered to adopt a special basis 
of representation and to invite prominent 
citizens, who may not be delegated by 
Branches, or Local Councils. 

(k) The election of delegates shall be 
vouched for by the President and Secre- 
tary of the body authorizing delegates 
to attend the Convention. 

♦ (1) Each National Convention or Irish 
Kace Convention shall, through appro- 
priate Committee, pass upon the qualifi- 
cations of all persons presenting creden- 
tials; and shall adopt rules of procedure 
governing its conduct and deliberations. 

29 



ARTICLE XIX. 

State Convention, (a) A State Con- 
vention shall be held annually during 
the month of September in each State 
having five or more Regular Branches. 

(b) The basis of representation at a 
State Convention shall be as specified 
for a National Convention in clauses (b), 
(c), (d), (f) and (g) of Article XVIII. 

(c) Members of the National Council 
resident in each State and the outgoing 
members of the State Council shall be 
ex-offick) members of the State Conven- 
tion with all the prerogatives of dele* 
gates. 

(d) The State Convention shall elect 
by ballot eleven members on the State 
Council, comprising the State President, 
State Vice-President, State Treasurer, 
State Secretary and not more than seven 
other councillors resident in the State. 
Each member of the State Council shall 
be an active member of a Regular 
Branch. 

(e) Not more than four members of 
the National Council resident in the State 
are eligible for election on the State 
Council. They shall qualify in accord- 
ance with clause (d). 

(f) Notices of motions should reach 
the State Secretary at least two weeks 
in advance of Convention date. 

ARTICLE XX. 

(a) Amendments to this Constitution 
shall not take effect, unless and until (1) 

30 



approved by a majority of the National 
Executive and subsequently by a two- 
thirds vote at a regular meeting of the 
National Council, or (2) adopted by a 
National Convention. 

(b) Copies of proposed amendments 
approved by the National Executive shall 
be forwarded to the members of the Na- 
tional Council at least three weeks prior 
to the date of the National Council meet- 
ing at which action may be taken on them 
by the latter. 



31 



STATE COUNCIL BY-LAWS 



ARTICLE I. 

Section 1, The State President shall: 

(a) Preside at all meetings of the 
Council and enforce a strict observance 
of these B^^-Laws and of the Constitu- 
tion of the Friends of Irish Freedom; 

(b) Appoint ail committees not other- 
wise provided for and shall be ex-ofiicio 
a member of all committees, except the 
Auditing Committee; 

(c) Countersign all orders on the 
Treasurer; 

(d)' Act as temporary chairman of the 
State Convention; 

(e) Be responsible in a general way 
for supervising the State Council's affairs 
and for observing that the other officers 
and committees perform the duties as- 
signed to them. 

Sec. 2. The State Vire-President shall, 
in the absence of the President, perform 
all the duties pertaining to the office of 
State President. 

Sec. 3. The State Treasurer shall: 

(a) Receive all moneys due the Coun- 
cil, and immediately deposit same in the 
name of the State Council in the financial 
institutions selected by the Council; 

(b) Keep accurate records of all re- 
ceipts and expenditures and make writ- 
ten reports to the Council at each meet- 
ing, showing the exact condition of the 
Treasury; 

Z2 



(c) Pay out moneys only upon k)rmal 
written orders signed by the Secretary 
and countersigned by the President; 

(d) Submit a complete financial re- 
port to the Council on the first of Janu- 
ary of each year, and forward copy to 
the National Secretary. 

(e) File a bond in an amount to be 
agreed upon by the State Council. 

Sec. 4. The State Secretary shall: 

(a) Keep complete and accurate min- 
utes of all meetings of the State Council 
and shall keep and preserve all reports, 
correspondence and documents of every 
kind dealing with the business of the 
Council; 

(b) Keep an accurate and complete roU 
of all Branches within the jurisdiction of 
the Council; 

(c) Keep a card index showing name 
and address of every officer and of every 
member of each Regular Branch of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom in the juris- 
diction of the State Council, also the 
name and address of the Secretary of each 
Associate and Honorary Branch in the 
State; 

(d) Sign all orders on the State Treas- 
urer, and all checks drawn on the Coun- 
cil's funds by the Treasurer for properly 
authorized expenditures; 

(e) Keep a correct account of receipts 
and expenditures and turn over to the 
Treasurer all moneys of the Council at 
each meeting; 

(f) Conduct all correspondence; 

33 



(g) File a bond in an amount to be 
agreed upon by the State Council. 

ARTICLE II. 

Section 1. The Council shall meet at 
least once every month. Special meetings 
ma}'- be called at the discretion of the 
President, or upon a petition signed by 
five members of the Council. Each mem- 
ber of the Council shall be notified in 
writing of the time and place of meeting 
at least one week before the date of such 
meeting. 

ARTICLE III. 

Section L The order of business at 
each regular meeting of a State Council 
shall be as follows: 

1, Call to Order by the President. 

2. Roll Call. 

. 3. Reading of Minutes. 

4. Bills and Communications. 

5. Reports of Officers. 

6. Reports of Committees. 

7. Unfinished Business. 

8. New Business. 

9. Good of the Order. 
10. Adjournment. 

Sec. 2. In matters of procedure not 

covered by these By-Laws, Cushing*s 
Manual shall be followed. 

ARTICLE IV. 

All plans or projects for the raising of 
money by the Friends of Irish Freedom, 
within a State, except those authorized by 
the National Council or National Execu- 

34 



tive, must be submitted to and approved 
by the State Council. 

ARTICLE V. 

Section 1. These by-laws ^hall be 
automatically amended to conform with 
all provisions of the National Constitu- 
tion and by-laws, as the same may be 
in force from time to time. 

Sec. 2. All other amendments must be 
read at two successive meetings of the 
State Council before being finally acted 
upon, prior written notice of such pro- 
posed amendments having been duly 
given to each member of such Council; 
or shall oe adopted by a two-thirds vote 
at annual State Convention. Said amend- 
ments shall be in accordance with the let- 
ter and spirit of the Constitution and 
shall not take effect unless and until rati- 
fied by the National Executive or Na- 
tional Council. 



35 



LOCAL COUNCIL BY-LAWS 



ARTICLE L 
Name and Purposes. 

Section 1. The name of this Org-anization 

shall be the Local Council of the 

Friends of Irish Freedom. 

Section 2. The purposes shall be to carry 
out, in the district over which its authority 
exte^ids, the provisions of Article II, Sections 
A, B, C, D and E of the Constitution of the 
friends of Irish Freedom: 

(A) "To maintain America's position as the 
world-champion of human freedom, by pre- 
serving American ideals of liberty and up- 
holding the principles on which the Govern- 
ment of the United States was founded. 

(B) "To uphold the right of the Repub- 
lic of Ireland to international recognition, 
and to inform the i\merican people' to the 
end that the Government of these United 
States, applying American principles, shall ac- 
cord full official recognition to the elected 
Government of the Republic of Ireland. 

(C) "To diffuse a more intimate knowledge 
of Irish history and the history of the Irish 
Race in America, and stimulate a just pride of 
Irish ideals and achievements ; thus enabling 
our people to contribute in the highest degree 
to the enrichment of American culture. 

(D) "To develop the economic resources 
of Ireland and to promote direct trade rela- 
tions between the U. S. and Ireland. 

(E) "To promote the revival of the lan- 
guage, music and customs of Ireland." 

36 



Section 3. To direct and control in its dis- 
trict, all Branches of the Friends of Irish 
Freedom, that the purposes as herein set forth, 
for which the Friends of Irish Freedom have 
been organized, may be attained. 

Section 4. This control is subject only to the' 
National Council, the National Executive, the 
State Council and the rule of the Constitution. 

ARTICLE II. 

Membership. 

Section 1. JMembership in this Local Coun- 
cil shall include all Regular and Associate 
Branches of the Friends of Irish Freedom 
in its district. 

Section 2. Branches to secure and maintain 
membership in this Local Council must be in 
good standing with National Headquarters. 

ARTICLE IIL 

Obligations and Representation. 

Section 1. Each Regular 'Branch shall pay 
to the Treasurer of its respective Local Coun- 
cil, on or before the 15th day of each month, 
a sum repi^esenting twenty-five cents (25c) for 
each member enrolled or whose renewal mem- 
bership fee has been paid during the preced- 
ing month. 

Section 2. Each Associate -Branch shall pay 
to the Treasurer of its respective^ Local Coun- 
cil an affiliation fee of Five Dollars ($5) 
within thirty days from the date of its affilia- 
tion with National Headquarters. This fee 
shall be renewable on the first of January each 
year thereafter. 

Section 3. Before a Regular or Associate 
Branch may be affiliated or re-affiliated with 



this Council, said Branch must present for in- 
spection by the Executive of the Council the 
official receipt issued by the National Secretary 
showing that the National Branch fee applying 
from January first of the year for which affili- 
ation is sought, has been paid to National Head- 
quarters. Regular Branches must also present 
for inspection by the Local Executive, official 
receipt showing that membership fees for said 
year have been duly paid to the National 
Secretary. 

Section 4. This Local Council shall consist 
of delegates from regular branches in its dis- 
trict on . the following basis : One delegate 
from a branch having less than fifty (50) 
members; two delegates for fifty (50) mem- 
bers; three delegates for one hundred (100) 
members, and one additional delegate for each 
f.fty members in exjess of 100. Each Asso- 
ciate Branch in the district shall be entitled 
to one (1) delegate on the Local Council. All 
delegates shall be elected by ballot by their 
respective Branches. 

Section 5. Only those are to be considered 
delegates to this Council who present creden- 
tials signed by the President and Secretary of 
their respective Branches which have com- 
plied with all obligations to National Head- 
quarters and to this Council. Said credentials 
shall be countersigned by the Secretary of the 
Local Council. 

Section 6. When any delegate absents him- 
self or herself without reasonable excuse from 
three consecutive meetings of the Council, his 
or her position as delegate shall be declared 
vacant. Any Branch whose representation 
may thus be affected shall fill the vacancy or 
vacancies at its next regular meeting. 

38 



Section 7. At the time of electing a delegate 
or delegates by ballot from a Branch to the 
Local Council, there shall also be respective 
alternates elected, Vv^hose names and addresses 
shall be forwarded to the Local Council Secre- 
tary at the same time as those of the regular 
delegates, in order that said alternate delegates, 
in the absence of those whose alternates they 
are, may be entitled to all the privileges of the 
floor. Should the regular delegate and his or 
her respective alternate be absent from a meet- 
ing, no substitute delegate shall be permitted 
to attend thereat. The responsibility of notify- 
ing an alternate delegate of any meeting at 
which the respective regular delegate cannot 
attend rests with the latter, who shall also 
notify the Local Council Secretary. When any 
regular delegate from a Regular or Associate 
(Branch is present at a meeting of the Council, 
his or her respective alternate shall not be en- 
titled to sit thereat. 

Section 8. Individuals who are not regular 
delegates, but who may be specially qualified 
to deal with any particular question under dis- 
cussion by the Local Council, may be invited 
by the Local Executive to any specified meet- 
ing of the Council. Permission for such visi- 
tor to address the Council must, however, be 
secured by vote of the delegates present at 
said meeting. They shall sit apart from the 
duly qualified delegates and shall not have 
power to vote on any question. The Council 
shall have power to request the departure of 
such visitors from a meeting if and when it 
sees fit. 

Section 9. The President, Secretary, or 
Treasurer of the National Council and of the 
State Council, or a person duly qualified by 

39 



either of those bodies, shall have the right to 
attend and speak on any question at a meeting 
of the Local Council ; they shall not have 
power as such to vote thereat. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Officers. 

Section 1. The seven Officers of this Coun- 
cil shall consist of a President, First Vice- 
President, Second' Vice-President, Third Vice- 
President, Recorder, Corresponding and 
Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. 

Section 2. Onjy duly accredited delegates 
to this Council, who also hold Regular mem- 
bership in the Friends of Irish Freedom, shall 
be eligible as officers of this Local Council. 

ARTICLE V. 

Section 1. The seven officers, as above, 
shall constitute the Local Executive, wath 
power and authority as outlined in these By- 
Laws. ' 

ARTICLE VI. 

Section 1. Delegates representing at least 
one-third of the membership by Branches, 
shall be necessary to constitute a quorum at 
any business or special meeting of a Local 
Council having fifteen or more affiliated 
branches. Furthermore, the number of in- 
dividual delegates to form a quorum at such 
Council meetings shall not be less than nine. 

Section 2. A Local Council with less than 
fifteen affiliated branches shall be at liberty to 
decide for itself the number of individual dele- 
gates necessary to form a quorum, but shall be 
obliged to advise the State Secretary and Na- 
tional Secretary in this respect. 

40 



ARTICLE VII. 

Meetings. 

Section 1. Two regular business meetings 
shall be held every month on fixed days and 
all properly accredited delegates must be noti- 
fied by the Corresponding Secretary, of the 
date, time and place of these meetings. 

•Section 2. Special meetings may be called 
b}^ the President: (a) On order from the 
Local Executive ; or (b) on the formal written 
request of fifteen delegates representing fifteen 
Branches in the case of a Council having more 
than sixty affiliated Branches; or (c) on simi- 
lar request from delegates representing one- 
fourth of the total number of Branches af- 
filiated where such number is less than sixty 
and more than twenty-five; or (d) on similar 
request from seven individual delegates to a 
Council having more than twelve and less than 
twenty-five affiliated Branches, (e) A Local 
Council composed of delegates from less than 
twelve affiliated Branches shall be at liberty 
to decide this point for themselves, subject to 
ratification by the State Council or National 
Executive. 

Section 3. Notices of special meetings must 
be sent out to all delegates, specifying the 
special business of said meeting, and no other 
business may be transacted thereat except by 
unanimous consent. 

Section 4. In case of elections or of amend- 
ments to these By-Laws, after every prelim- 
inary requisite has been complied with, except 
the actual voting, a recess of ten minutes is to 
be declared for the purpose of consultation. 

Section 5. In matters of parliamentary prac- 

41 



tice, not covered by these By-Laws, Cushing's 
Manual shall be used 

Section 6. All regular meetings shall start 
at eight o'clock sharp (P. M.), and it shall be 
the duty of the ranking officer then present 
to call the meeting to order, and to proceed 
with the business of the Council as herein 
outlmed. 

Section 7. All reports of Officers or Com- 
mittees shall be presented in writing before 
any action may be taken thereon. 

Section 8. No one will be considered as in 
order, or be permitted to speak at a business 
meeting, except to a question formally put by 
the Chair. 

Section 9. No speaker shall be given more 
than ten minutes, except by unanimous con- 
Bent, and the chairman must put this question 
to the meeting as soon as ten minutes have 
been occupied by any one speaker. 

Section 10. No delegate may address the 
meeting more than once on any motion or 
question, while any other member who has 
not spoken desires to speak. 

Section 11. A delegate wishing to address 
the meeting must arise, give name and state 
Branch represented. 

Section 12. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be 
considered an officer of the meeting, but not 
an officer of the Council. 

Section 13. No business other than that in- 
cluded under Sections 2 and 3 of Article I of 
these By-Laws may be acted upon, or even dis- 
cussed at the business meetings of this Coun- 
cil except by unanimous consent. 

42 



ARTICLE VIII. 

Finance. 

Section 1. Subject to ratification by the State 
Council or National Executive, this Local 
Council may adopt plans whereby money may 
be raised in its district for the purpose of 
carrying into effect any special work that may 
devolve upon it. 

ARTICLE IX. 
Duties of President. 

Section L The President shall preside at 
all meetings of the Local Council and the 
Executive, and shall enforce a strict obedience 
to, and conformity with these By-Laws. 

Section 2. He shall appoint all committees, 
not otherwise provided for, and shall be ex- 
officio a member of all committees, except that 
on Finance, when it sits as an Auditing Con. • 
mittee. 

Section 3. The President shall sign all or- 
ders on the Treasurer, and all checks drawn 
on the Council's Funds by the latter for prop- 
erly authorized appropriations. 

Section 4. He shall be responsible, in a 
general way, for supervising the Council's af- 
fairs and for the performance of their duties 
by other Officers and by Committees. 

Section 5. He shall not vote, except in case 
of a tie or an election. 

ARTICLE X. 

Duties of First Vice-President. 

Section 1. The First Vice-President shalK 
assist the President, and in case the latter is ill 
or absent he shall perform the duties of the 
President. 

43 



Section 2. He shall be chairman of the 
Finance Committee. 

ARTICLE XI. 

Duties of Second Vice-President. 

Section 1. The Second Vice-President shall, 
in the absence of the President and First Vice- 
President, preside at the meetings of the Local 
Council and the Executive. 

Section 2. He shall be chairman of the 
Organization Committee. 

ARTICLE XII. 

Third Vice-President. 

Section I. The Third Vice-President s^all 
be chairman of the Committee on Publiv,ity. 

Section 2. He shall, in the absence of the 
President, First and Second Vice-Presidents, 
preside at the meetings of the Local Council 
and the meetings of the Executive. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

Recorder. 

Section 1. The Recorder shall keep accurate 
and complete minutes of all meetings of the 
Local Council and the Executive, and shall 
have and protect all the reports and docu- 
ments of every kind dealing with the business 
of the Council. • . 

Section 2. This Officer shall keep an ac- 
curate and complete roll of Branches and 
•Branch officers, delegates and committees of 
this Council and must furnish the Council, 
the Executive and the Auditing Committee any 
information possessed as Recorder and pro- 

44 



duce books and papers pertaining to the same 
oilice whenever required. 

Section 3. This Officer shall call the roll of 
Branches and delegates at every meeting of the 
Local Council and note the names of absentees 
therefrom. • 

ARTICLE XIV. 

Corresponding and Financial Secretary. 

Section L This Officer shall have charge 
of the Correspondence of the Local Council 
and the Executive and shall refer same to the 
President for action. 

Section 2. He shall notify Branches of 
meetings, etc., and shall secure reports from 
them as provided for by the Constitution and 
these by-laws. 

Section 3. He shall furnish whenever re- 
quired, any information conbcrning his office, 
desired by the Council, the Executive or the 
Auditing Committee. 

Section 4. He shall keep a complete and 
correct account of receipts and expenditures. 

Section 5. He shall collect the monthly 
Local Council fees when due from Branches, 
and shall turn over to the Treasurer all moneys 
of the Council at each meeting, accompanied 
with a complete and correct written report of 
all receipts and expenditures since the last 
meeting. 

Section 6. He shall keep a complete card 
index record on file, showing names and 
addresses of every officer and of every mem- 
ber of each Regular branch of the Friends of 
Irish Freedom within the Local Council area, 
and of the delegates from said Branches to 
this Council, and of the Secretary and delegate 

45 



of each Associate Branch v/ithin the district 
of the Council. 

Section 7. He shall provide forms suitable 
for these purposes, to be seat free to every 
Branch affiliated with this Council. 

Section 8. He shall provide credentials for 
the use of duly accredited delegates to Local 
Council. 

. Section 9. He shall keep a record of all 
contributions made by each Branch in the 
Local Council district to the Friends of Irish 
Freedom. 

Section 10. He shall draw all orders on 
the Treasurer. 

Section IL He shall file a bond, the ex- 
pense to be borne by the Local Council, in a 
reliable Surety Company, the amount and 
company to be decided by the Executive and 
Finance Committee, in joint session for this 
purpose. Their decision must first be ratified 
by the Council. 

Section 12. He shall keep the National Sec- 
retary and State Secretary advised of any 
changes in the personnel or addresses of 
Branch officers and officers of the Local 
Council. 

ARTICLE XV. 

The Treasurer. 

Section L The Treasurer shall receive from 
the Financial Secretary all moneys of the 
Council and shall, within three days of the re- 
ceipt of same, deposit such in the name 
of the Local Council, in the financial 
institutions selected by the Executive and the 
Finance Committee. The depository or de- 

46 



posltories selected must be approved by at least 
four members of the Executive and by the 
Council. 

Section 2. The Treasurer shall keep ac- 
curate records of all receipts and expenditures, 
and make written reports to the Council at e?ch 
meeting, showing the exact condition of the 
treasury. 

Section 3. He shall, on no condition and 
under no circumstances or pretext whatever, 
honor or accept any order, or pay out moneys 
except on a formal written order, made out by 
the Financial Secretary in person, with the 
amount of same written out, signed by the 
Financial Secretary and countersigned by the 
President. 

Section 4. The Treasurer shall have ready, 
whenever called upon by the President, the 
Auditing Committee or the Council, the de- 
posit, check and other books of the Treasurer, 
together with all vouchers for payments made 
by or through this officer. 

Section 5. The Treasurer shall accept no 
moneys without giving a receipt for same. 

Section 6. The Treasurer must submit a 
complete report to the Auditing Committee 
on the first of January and the first of July 
oi each year, so that this committee may make 
its report at the first meeting of the Council 
held thereafter. 

Section 7. The Treasurer shall file a bond in 
an amount and Surety Co., to be agreed upon 
by the Executive, and the Finance Committee ; 
the Council finally voting its approval of the 
Bonding Company and sum named. The ex- 
pense incurred in securing said bond shall be 
borne by the Council. 

47 



ARTICLE XVI. 

The Local Executive. 

Section 1. The President of the Council 
shall be chairman of the Local Executive. 

Seciidn 2. The Secretaries of the Council 
shall act in their official capacities to the Exec- 
utive. 

Section 3. The Local Executive shall meet 
at least twice every month. 

Section 4. It shall exercise all the pov^*ers 
of the Council, when the latter is not in session, 
only and except as- herein provided. 

Section 5. It may not legislate for the 
Council. 

Section 6. It may not appropriate, expend 
or authorize to be expended any moneys un- 
less and until such expenditure or disbursement 
has been considered by the Finance Committee 
and passed by the Council. 

Section 7. This foregoing Section 6 does 
not apply to the necessary current expenses 
of the Council, provision for such current 
expenses being made by the Finance Commit- 
tee. 

Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Ex- 
ecutive to act in the matter of charges against 
members and Branches, as laid down in Arti- 
cles XXI and XXII of these By-Laws.^ 

Section 9. It shall have full authority in its 
district to control and direct all activities of 
every kind in so far as these activities are of, 
for, or b}^ the Friends of Irish Freedom. This 
authority is limited only by the Constitution, 
the National Council, National Executive, 
States Council and these By-Laws. 

Section 10. It shall have jurisdiction over 
all moneys collected by or in the name of the 

48 



Friends of Irish Freedom in the district o^ 
the Council, subject to the direction of the 
State Council or National Executive. 

Section 11. It shall have charge of and 
control over the Local Council headquarters 
of the Friends of Irish Freedom, its em- 
ployees, and its property. This property is to' 
be used for no purpose whatever except the 
business of the Friends of Irish Freedom. 

Section 12. All plans, reports and expendi- 
tures of standing comm.ittees must be availal)le 
for review by the Local Executive. 

Section 13. The Local Executive, acting 
with the Finance Committee, shall be charged 
V\ath the duty of selecting the depository for 
all Council or other funds intrusted to its 
care, and must advise the Council of its deci- 
sion, and of the percentage of moneys assigned 
to each depository, if more than one be se- 
lected for this purpose. 

Section 14. Should any member of the Lo- 
cal Executive absent himself without reason- 
able excuse from three consecutive meetings 
of the Local Council, his office shall at a regu- 
lar meeting of the latter be declared vacant. 

ARTICLE XVII. 
The Finance Committee. 

Section 1. This Committee shall be com- 
posed of five members to be appointed by the 
President. 

Section 2. The First Vice-President of tlie 
Council shall be chairman of this cornmitlec, 
but shall not vote except in case of a /tic. 

Section 3. The Finance Committee shall 
have joint power with the Local Executive in 

49 



;he selection of a depository for the. funds 
of the Council or the withdrawal of same. 

Section 4. No appropriation may be made 
by the Council to exceed ten ($10.00) dollars 
without the consent of this committee, unless 
by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present 
at a regular business meeting. 

Section 5. All budgets of committees or of- 
ficers must be referred to this committee for 
consideration, before action by the Council 
may be taken. 

Section 6. All plans of any kind, except 
those emanating- from the National Council, 
National Executive or State Council by which 
moneys may be raised by or for the Friends 
of Irish Freedom in this district, must be 
submitted to this committee for their consid- 
eration before they can be adopted by this 
Council. 

Section 7. All proposals referred to this 
committee must be returned with to. report 
not later than the next regular meeting after 
it has been referred to them. 

Section 8. The Finance Committee shall 
see that Branch Trustees audit the quarterly 
Branch financial reports called for by Ar- 
ticle V, Section 10, of Branch By-Laws ; it 
shall be responsible for the correctness of the 
audit. 

Section 9. A special Auditing Committee 
shall be appointed by the President in June 
and December each year. It shall audit the 
accounts of the Financial Secretary and the 
Treasurer as of June 30 and December 31, and 
report the findings in detail to the Local 
Council. 

Section 10. The audit committee shall have 
the right at any time, after due notice has 

SO 



been given — one week to be considered suffi- 
cient for tliis purpose — to call for any records 
or papers of the Council or its officers which 
deal with money transactions of the Friends 
of Irish Freedom. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

The Organization Committee. 

Section, 1. This committee shall be com- 
posed of five members to be selected by the 
President. 

Section 2. The second Vice-President of 
the Council shall be Chairman of this Commit- 
tee, but may not vote except in case of a tie. 

Section 3. This committee shall have juris- 
diction over all matters of organization in the 
district over which the authority of the Local 
Council extends subject to the direction of 
said Local Council, the State Council and the 
National Executive. 

Section 4. It shall have the right to grant 
permission for the organization of Regular 
Branches in accordance with regulations laid 
down by the National Executive. Permits thus 
granted shall be signed and issued by the Sec- 
retary of the Council and shall specify the 
name and location of each new Branch. Each 
permit shall be forwarded by the temporary 
Financial Secretary of the Branch, together 
with the first lot of applications and fees, 
etc., direct to the National Secretary. 

Section 5. It shall have authority to select 
organizers and speakers for the purpose of 
organizing Regular Branches. 

Section 6. This committee must meet once 
every week and make a written report at 
every business meeting of the Council. 

51 



ARTICLE XIX. 

Publicity Committee. 

Section 1. This committee shall be com- 
posed of iive members to be appointed by 
the President. 

Section 2. The Third Vice-President shall 
be its chairman, without the right to vote ex- 
cept in case of a tie. 

Section 3. Its duiies shall be to authorize 
and arrange for all pubnc and mass-meetings 
of the Friends of 'Irish Freedom in its district 
and to select speakers for the same. 

Section 4. To arrange for the publication 
in local or other organs of publicity, an ac- 
count of the activities, plans and purposes of 
the Friends of Irish Freedom within the 
district of the Council. 

Section 5, To examine and review all books, 
booklets, pamphlets, special articles, news- 
papers and all written, printed or published 
matter, music records, songs, music, buttons, 
banners, decorations or other means of in- 
fluencing public opinion, that may be presented 
to the Council as affecting the Interests of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom and to report to the 
Council on same. 

Section 6. No moneys may be used or ap- 
propriated by this Committee for propaganda 
of any kind, unless and until approved by the 
Finance Committee, the Local Executive and 
the Local Council. 

Section 7. All resolutions, emanating from 
any Branch or delegate, must, before their 
adoption by the Council, be referred to this 
committee for review or redrafting. 

52 



ARTICLE XX. 

Supervisors. 

Section 1. A Local Council with which 
eight or more Regular Branches are affiliated 
shall elect Supervisors for said Branches. 
Each Supervisor shall have charge of at least 
three and not more than four specified 
Branches. It shall be the duty of a Supervisor 
to be present at each meeting held by the 
Branches which he has been elected to super- 
intend ; to see that the business of each 
Branch is conducted in accordance with the 
Constitution and the instructions of the su- 
perior bodies; he shall direct the attention of 
a Branch to any departure from the accepted 
rule of conduct, or to matters on which he 
may have received special instructions ; he 
shall report on each branch at the regular 
meetings of the Local Council. 

ARTICLE XXI. 
Suspension of Branches. 

Section 1. Any Branch in a Local Council 
district which fails to comply with the Con- 
stitution and By-Laws of the F. O. I. F. or 
the rulings of the Local Council, or acts in a 
manner derogatory to the discipline, policy or 
principles of the organization, shall have 
charges preferred against it. Said charges 
shall be in writing and signed by at least three 
members residing in the Local Council dis- 
trict. The trial shall he conducted bj^ the 
Local Council Executive which shall summon 
before it three or more officers of the Branch 
affected. The Local Executive shall report its 
findings to the Local Council, which by a two- 
thirds vote at a regular meeting, may order 

S3 



the suspension of the Branch. The Local 
Council may also recommend to the State 
Council, or direct to the National Executive 
where no State Council exists, that the Branch 
,.e expelled. The Branch affected may, with- 
in thirty days after the decision of the Local 
Council has been rendered, appeal to the State 
Council, or direct to the National Executive 
where no State Council exists. 

ARTICLE XXIL 

Charges and Trials. 

Section 1. Any member of the Local Ex- 
ecutive who acts in a manner derogatory to 
the interests of the Council or to the principles 
or well-being of the Friends of Irish Free- 
dom may have charges preferred against him. 
Said charges shall b^ made in writing and 
bear the signature and address of the com- 
plainant, and a demand for trial shall be 
signed by at least one-fifth of the total num- 
ber of delegates on the roll of this Council. 
Copy of same shall be served on the accused. 
The trial shall take place at a special meet- 
ing of the Local Council called for the pur- 
pose. Said special meeting shall elect its own 
chairman. The accused if found guilty, may, 
by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present, 
be suspended or expelled (1) from office, (2) 
from his seat on the Council, (3) from the 
Friends of Irish Freedom. 

Section 2. Any member of the Local Coun- 
cil not a member of the Local Executive who 
acts in a manner derogatory to the interests 
of the Council, or to the principles or well- 
being of the Friends of Irish Freedom may 
have charges preferred against him. Said 

54 



ihargcs shall be made in writing and bear the 
signature and address of the complainant. 
Copy of same shall be served on the accused. 
The trial shall be conducted by a Trial Com- 
mittee of five appointed by the President of 
the Local Council. The decision shall be sub- 
ject to review by the Local Council. The ac- 
cused may, if found guilty, be suspended or 
expelled (1) from his seat on the Council, (2) 
from the Friends of Irish Freedom. 

Section 3. Any member of the Local Execu- 
tive or Local Council so charged as in Sec- 
tions 1 and 2 of this Article may be sus- 
pended as a delegate to the Local Council 
by a majority vote of the Council, pending 
trial. 

Section 4. All charges affecting the rela- 
tion of a member to his or her Branch must 
be submitted in writing at a regular meeting 
of the Branch. The complaint shall bear the 
signature and address of the complainant and 
copy of same shall be served on the accused. 
A member or officer of a Branch against 
whom charges are preferred shall be tried 
by a Judiciary Committee appointed by the 
Presiding Officer. The decision shall be sub- 
ject to review by the Branch as a whole at a 
regular or special meeting of same. The ac- 
cused shall receive notice of trial and if 
found guilty may Ibe suspended or expelled 
as the Branch may by two-thirds vote decide. 
The Local Council Executive shall be advised 
of the date and place of trial so that it may 
be represented thereat. 

Section 5. The decision of the Branch may 
be appealed from by the member accused or 
by the complainant, by making written appli- 
cation to the Local Council Executive. The 

55 



Local Executive may itself hear the appeal 
or refer it to a Trial Committee comprising 
five members of the Local Council. 

Section 6. In case a Branch fails to pro- 
ceed vvith the trial of any of its members or 
officers against whom charges are preferred ; 
or if, in the opinion of the Local Executive, 
due cognizance has not been taken, in the trial 
of any such member or officer, of the standard 
of discipline which the well-being of the or- 
ganization demands, the Local Council Execu- 
tive shall have power to institute and carry 
though proceedings against such member or 
members. The Local Executive may in its 
discretion delegate this work to a Trial Com- 
mittee comprising five members of the Local 
Council. Charges shall be in writing, signed 
by the individual or individuals responsible for 
same. Copy of the charge or charges shall 
be served on the accused and the latter shall 
also receive notice of trial. The accused, if 
found guilty, may be suspended or expelled 
from membership in the Friends of Irish 
Freedom. 

Section 7. Nothing in these by-laws shall 
be considered as conflicting with the author- 
ity of the National Executive as laid down in 
Section (e), Article XIV of the National 
Constitution. 

ARTICLE XXIII. 

Elections. 

Section 1. A general election of all officers 
of this Council ihall be held at the second 
regular meeting in March of each year. 

Section 2. Branches shall be represented at 
said election on the basis of their standing 

56 



with National Headquarters on February 28 
of the same year. 

Section 3. Nominations shall be made and 
elections held at the same meeting. 

Section 4. The election shall be by ballot. 

Section 5. Officers shall hold office until 
their successors shall have been chosen. 

Section 6. All Committees automatically 
cease to exist on the date of the general elec- 
tion. 

Section 7. In the event of a vacancy occur- 
ring on the Local Executive it shall be so 
declared at the next regular meeting of the 
Local Council, and filled at the next regular 
m.eeting following such declaration, in accord- 
ance wdth Sections 3 and 4 of this Article. 

ARTICLE XXIV. 

Order of Business. 

L Call to order by Presiding Officer. 

2. Selection of Sergeant-at-Arms. 

3. Roll Call of Officers. 

4. Presentation of credentials by dele- 

gates. 

5. Application by Branches for affiliation. 

6. Reading of Minutes. 

7. Bills and communications. 

8. Reports of officers. 

9. Report of Executive. 

10. Report of National Councillor acting 

as Special Representative to the Na- 
tional Council (if any). 

11. Report of Supervisors. 

12. Report of Standing Committees, in this 

order : Finance, Organization, Pub- 
liciLY and Trials. 

13. Special Committees. 

57 



14. Unfinished Business. 

15. New Business. 

16. Resignation from and Election to Office. 

17. Reports of Branches. 

18. Receipts of Meeting. 

19. Good of the Organization. 

20. Adjournment. 

ARTICLE XXV. 
Amendments. 

Section 1. Amendments to these By-Laws 
must be presented in writing by a delegate to 
the Council, and must be signed by a represen- 
tative from at least three Branches. 

Section 2. The Amendment with explana- 
tions must be posted for one month in the 
meeting place of the Council, before it may be 
called up for action. 

Section 3. All such amendments must be 
brought to the attention of all delegates of 
the Council by a written notice. 

Section 4. Amendments require a two- 
thirds vote of the delegates present at a regu- 
lar business meeting of the Council for adop- 
tion. They shall not be effective unless and 
until ratified by the National Executive. 

Section 5. These By-Laws shall, however, 
be automatically amended to conform with all 
provisions of the National Constitution and 
By-Laws, as the same may be in force from 
time to time. 



58 



REGULAR BRANCH BY-LAWS 
ARTICLE I 

Name of Branch 
The name of this Branch shall be the 

Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom. 
ARTICLE II 

The OBJECTS of this Branch of the 
Friends of Irish Freedom are: 

(a) To maintain America's position as 
the world-champion of human freedom, 
by preserving American ideals of liberty 
and upholding the principles on which 
the Government of the United States was 
founded. 

(b) To uphold the right of the Re- 
public of Ireland to international recog- 
nition, and to inform the American 
people to the end that the Govern- 
ment of these United States, applying 
American principles, shall accord full 
official recognition to the elected Gov- 
ernment of the Republic of Ireland. 

(c) To diffuse a more intimate knowl- 
edge of Irish History and the history of 
the Irish Race in America, and stimulate 
a just pride of Irish ideals and achieve- 
ments, thus enabling our people to con- 
tribute in the highest degree to t'.e en- 
richment of American culture. 

(d) To develop the economic resources 
of Ireland and to promote direct trade 
between the U. S. and Ireland. 

(e) To promote the revival of the 

59 



Language, Music and Customs of Ire- 
land, 

ARTICLE III 

(a) Membership in this Regular Branch 
of the Friends of Irish Freedom shall be 
open to all those who individually pledge 
their support of its objects, and otherwise 
qualify as per Articles IV and V of the 
Constitution. 

(b) Applicants who have paid their 
national membership fees shall be nomi- 
nated, seconded and voted on for mem- 
bership. Five adverse votes will reject 
an application. Those individuals whose 
a])plications shall have been accepted by 
the Branch shall not be considered as 
members of the Branch unless and until 
their National Membership Cards shall 
have been issued by and received from 
the National Secretary. 

ARTICLE IV 

(a) The officers of this Branch shall 
be President, Vice-President, Recording 
Secretary, Financial Secretary, Corre- 
sponding Secretary, Treasurer, Orator, 
Guard, Director of Organization, Direc- 
tor of Publicity and three Trustees. 

(b) No person other than a member in 
good standing shall be elected to office. 
No member may hold more than one 
office in the Branch. 

ARTICLE V 

Duties of the Officers 
Section L The duties of the President 

60 



are to preside at the meetings; t® en- 
force the Constitution and By-Laws; to 
see that Officers and Trustees discharge 
their respective duties; appoint all Com- 
mittees and sign vouchers for all drafts 
on the Treasurer. He or she shall be ex- 
officio member of all committees except 
the Auditing Committee. 

Sec. 2. The Vice-President shall, im the 
aljsence of the President, perform all the 
duties of the President's office. 

Sec. 3. The Recording Secretary shall 
keep the records of all meetings. He or 
she shall keep an alphabetically arranged 
card index, showing the name, address 
and national serial number of each mem- 
ber. 

He shall submit a written monthly re- 
port to the Secretary of the Local Council 
and of the State Council where such 
Councils exist, showing the financial 
standing and general activities of the 
Branch. Also, a similar report on the last 
day of each quarter to the National Secre- 
tSLYy. For this purpose he shall receive 
from the Treasurer, Financial and Cor- 
responding Secretaries such data as may 
be requisite. 

Sec. 4. The Financial Secretary shall 
give official receipt for fees received and 
for all moneys collected, and keep a cor- 
rect record of same in the special form 
of Account Books approved by the Na- 
tional Executive. He or she at the 
close of each meeting shall turn over to 
the Branch Treasurer all moneys re- 
ceived, taking a receipt for same. 

61 



He shall keep a card index account for 
each member on Form No. 7A. 

He shall keep a record of the name 
and address of each applicant for mem- 
bership, and shall submit to each Branch 
meeting a list of said applicants. 

On acceptance of membership applica- 
tions by the Branch he shall arrange the 
application forms alphabetically and shall 
transmit same at least once a month, to- 
gether with check or money order for 
corresponding fees ($1.50. per member), 
also a list on Form No. lOA giving the 
name and address of each applicant, by 
registered mail to the National Secretary. 

He shall in due course receive the cor- 
responding National Membership Cards 
from the National Secretary, and shall 
promptly issue said cards to the respec- 
tive members, having first recorded the 
national serial number which appears on 
each. 

Where a Local Council exists, the 
Branch Financial Secretary shall, on or 
before the fifteenth day of each month, 
remit to the Local Council Treasurer a 
sum representing twenty-five cents (25c) 
for each member whose membership fee 
or renewal membership fee has been paid 
during the preceding month, together 
with a list of the names, addresses and 
national serial numbers of said members. 

Where a Local Council does not exist 
the Branch shall retain for its own pur- 
poses fifty cents out of each National 
Membership fee received by the Branch. 

He shall keep in stock a sufficient num- 

62 



ber of membership application blanks 
to meet the requirements of the Branch. 

He shall sign vouchers for all drafts 
on the Treasurer. 

Sec. 5. The Corresponding Secretary 
shall conduct all the correspondence of 
the Branch, except that which pertains 
specifically to other officers of the 
Branch. He shall keep the National Sec- 
retary, State Secretary and Local Coun- 
cil Secretary advised of any changes in 
the personnel or addresses of the Branch 
officers, or in the addresses of the mem- 
bers. 

He shall read at Branch meetings all 
correspondence received from National 
Headquarters, State Secretary and Local 
Council Secretary. 

Sec. 6. The Treasurer shall keep a cor- 
rect record of all moneys received by him 
or her from the Financial Secretary or 
other sources, and shall give his receipt 
for same. He shall deposit all funds in 
excess of $50.00 in the name of the Branch 
' in a Savings or Commercial Bank. He 
shall disburse moneys only as ordered 
by the Branch and against vouchers signed 
by the President and Financial Secretary. 
Drafts against the Bank account of the 
Branch shall be signed by the Treasurer 
and countersigned by at least two Trus- 
tees. He shall report to the President 
and for] Financial Secretary of the 
Branchy or superior authority, the amount 
on hand at any time, and give a detailed 
report when required. He shall on Janu- 
ary first of each year submit to the Na- 
tional Secretary and to the State Secre- 

63 



tary a nnancial statement for the preced- 
ing year, on the form supplied by National 
Headquarters. 

Sec. 7. The Orator shall be responsible 
for securing speakers (who shall be ap- 
proved by the Local Council where such 
exists) and providing entertainment for 
each meeting of the Branch, under "Good 
of the Order." He shall be chairman 
of the Entertainment Committee. 

Sec. 8. The Guard shall be stationed at 
the entrance to Council chamber and shall 
admit to meeting .only those persons au- 
thorized to be there. 

Sec. 9. The Directors of Organization 
and Publicity shall work under the direc- 
tion of the Branch acting independently, 
or in conjunction with the Local Council 
where such exists, or with the State 
Council,, and shall utilize the Branch 
membership to the fullest extent in 
carrying out their respective campaigns, 
a certain territory being assigned to each 
member or group of members. 

The Director of Organization shall be 
Chairman of the Committee on Organiza- 
tion. 

The Director of Publicity shall be 
Chairman of the Committee on Publicity. 

Sec. 10. The Trustees shall have charge 
of the property and funds of the Branch 
and shall sign all vouchers. They shall 
examine the books of the Recording Sec- 
retary, Financial Secretary and Treas- 
urer at least once every three months, 
and submit report to Branch. 

Sec. 11. Each Branch officer on assum- 

64 



ing office shall sign the following pledge: 

"I solemnly 

pledge myself to fulfill the duties of the 
office imposed on me to the best of my 
ability, and to turn over to my duly 
elected successor in office all books, re- 
cords, and properties of this Branch en- 
trusted to my keeping; to maintain the 
F. O. I. F. Constitution, By-Laws and 
regulations in force or hereafter to be en- 
acted; to work loyally in co-operation 
with the National Council and any other 
duly constituted authority in the Organi- 
zation." 

ARTICLE VI 

Dues ' 

Section 1. In addition to the National- 
membership-fee of $2.00 per annum, pay- 
able with application for membership 
and renewable on the first day cf Janu- 
ary in each year thereafter, each mem- 
ber shall pay to the Branch Financial 
Secretary such monthly dues as may be 
decided on by each Branch. 

Sec. 2. Any member owing three 
months' Branch dues and fails to pay 
same after receiving due notice, shall 
have the privilege of speaking and voting 
at Branch meetings withdrawn from him 
or her. This privilege may subsequently 
be restored on payment of moneys due 
the Branch. 

Sec. 3. Any member owing more than 
six months' Branch dues and who fails 
to pay same after receiving due notice 
may be dropped from the Rolls. Such 
member may subsequently be restored 

65 



to full Branch membership on payment 
of moneys due the Branch. 

Sec. 4. The funds shall be used to 
meet current expenses of the Branch, 
and such other purposes as a majority 
of the members at a regular meeting 
may deem advisable, but they shall be 
used only for the benefit and progress of 
the organization. No appropriation ex- 
ceeding ten dollars shall be made for 
any purpose other than one directly con- 
nected with Branch work, except with the 
approval of a Local Council, State Coun- 
cil, or the National Executive. 

ARTICLE VII 

ORDER OF BUSINESS 

1. Meeting Called to Order. 

2. Roll Call of Officers. 

3. Minutes of Preceding Meeting. 

4. Reading of Correspondence. 

5. Reports of Officers. 

6. Reports of Committees. 

7. Propositions for Membership. 

8. Initiation of Members Whose Na- 

tional Membership Cards Have 
Been Received from Headquarters. 

9. Unfinished Business. 

10. New Business. 

11. Receipts of Meeting. 

12. Good of the Order. 

13. Adjournment. 



(A 



ARTICLE VIII 

Politics 

Any ofBcer of this. Branch who shall 
wilfully use his office or the organization 
for personal political advancement or 
aggrandizement, shall have charges pre- 
ferred against him on behalf of the 
Branch. If found guilty, his office shall 
be declared vacant by a majority vote 
at a regular meeting or special meeting* 
called for such purpose. 

ARTICLE IX 

Elections 

Section 1. The Board of Officers shall 
be elected annually by ballot at the first 
meeting in December, and shall be in- 
stalled in office at the first meeting in 
January following. 

Sec. 2. Officers of a newly established 
Branch shall be elected and installed at 
its first regular meeting, and thereafter 
as specified in Section 1. 

Sec. 3. No member shall be eligible 
for the Presidency of a Branch for more 
than two consecutive terms of one year 
each. 

Sec. 4. Should the ofifice of President 
become vacant through death, resigna- 
tion^ or expulsion, and a new President 
be elected to fill the unexpired term, 
such unexpired term if it exceeds six 
months* tenure of office shall constitute 
a Presidential term, in the meaning of 
the word **term," in Sec. 3 of this Article. 

Sec. 5. When a term of President in- 



tervenes, a Past President is again eli- 
gibJe to the office of President, provided 
such intervening term ^hall not be less 
than one year. 

Sec. 6. All other Branch officers may 
be elected to the same office year after 

year. 

Sec. 7. Should any officer absent him- 
self or herself from three consecutive 
'meetings, without sufficient reason, the 
office shall be declared vacant, and a 
new election held for said office; notice 
of such electipn shall be given at least 
one week in advance to all members. 
Vacancies arising in the Board of Of- 
ficers from any other cause shall be filled 
in like manner. The National Secretary 
and Local Council Secretary shall be 
notified of the result of such elections. 

ARTICLE X 
Charges and Trials 

Sec. L All charges affecting the rela- 
tion of a member to his or her Branch 
must be submitted in writing at a regular 
meeting of the Branch. The complaint 
shall bear the signature and address of 
the complainant and copy of same shall 
be served on the accused. A member or 
officer of a Branch against whom charges 
are preferred shall be tried by a Judiciary 
Committee appointed by the Presiding 
Officer. The decision shall be subject 
to review by the Branch as a whole at a 
regular or special meeting of same. The 
accused shall receive. notice of trial, and 
if f^und guilty may be suspended or ex- 

68 



pelled as the Branch may by two-thirds 
vote decide. The Local Council E«xecu- 
tive, where such exists, shall be advised 
of the date and place of trial so that it 
may be represented thereat. 

Sec. 2. The decision of the Branch may 
be appealed from by the member accused 
or by the complainant, by making writ- 
ten application to the Local Council 
where such exists; otherwise to the State 
Council or as provided in the Constitution. 

Sec. 3. In case a Branch fails to pro- 
ceed with the trial of any of its members 
or officers against whom charges are pre- 
ferred; or if, in the opinion of the Local 
Executive, State Council or National Ex- 
ecutive, due cognizance has not been 
taken, in the trial of any such member or 
officer, of the standard of discipline 
which the well-being of the organization 
demands, the Local Council Executive, 
State Council or National Executive shall 
have power to institute and carry through 
proceedings against such member or 
members. 

Sec. 4. Nothing in Sections 1, 2 and 3 
shall be considered as conflicting with the 
authority of the National Executive as 
laid down in Section (e), Article XIV of 
the National Constitution. 

ARTICLE XI 

Meetings 
Sec. 1. The regular meetings of the 
Branch shall be held at least once a 
month on a fixed day or days. The Na- 
tional, State and Local Council Secre- 
taries shall be notified in this respect. 

69 



Sec. 2. Seven members shall consti- 
tute a quorum for a Branch with a mem- 
bership not exceeding fifty; lifteen mem- 
bers for a Brancii of between 50 and 100; 
twenty members for a Branch of 100 or 
more members. 

Sec. 3. A special meeting may be 
called (1) by a majority vote of the 
members present at any regular meeting. 
(2) by the President on receipt of a writ- 
ten request signed by not less than (a) 
seven members in a Branch having a 
membership of less than 50, (b) fifteen 
members in a Branch with a membership 
of between 50 and 100, or (c) twenty 
members in a Branch with a membership 
of 100 or more. In either case, each 
member of the Branch shall be duly 
notified and the special object of the 
meeting stated. No other business shall 
be transacted at such meeting. 

Sec. 4. Individuals not regular members 
of the F. O. I. F. shall not he permitted 
to attend business meetings of the 
Branch unless vouched for by a member 
of the Branch in good standing, and 
w^ith the consent of the members present. 
No such individual shall under any cir- 
cumstances be permitted to attend more 
than one business meeting. 

Sec. 5. Members of a Regular Branch 
of the F. O. I. F. may be permitted to 
attend the meeting of another Regular 
Branch on presentation of his or her Na- 
tional Membership Card to the Guard 
when entering. The Branch visited may, 
however, refuse to grant such admission; 

70 



Visiting members shitll not have the right 
to vote in any Branch which they may 
visit; they shall not in any way partici- 
pate in the business discussions of the 
Branch visited except with the permis- 
sion of the presiding officer, and if 
deemed necessary with the consent of 
said Branch. 

Sec 6. The Local Council Supervisor, 
or other duly appointed representative 
of a superior governing body, shall be at 
liberty to address the Branch on any 
subject under discussion. Any special 
message which the Supervisor wishes t6 
convey shall be delivered under "Good of 
the Order" unless the Branch desires to 
hear him at an earlier stage in the pro- 
ceedings. 

ARTICLE XII 

Miscellaneous 

Sec. 1. Applications for transfers 
from this Branch shall be made on Form 
No. 15. 

Sec. 2. Delegates and Alternates to the 
Local Council, where such exists, shall 
be elected at a regular meeting of the 
Branch in February of each year. 

Sec. 3. Branch meetings shall be con- 
ducted according to the rules laid down 
in Cushing's Manual. 

Sec. 4. A member who is not in good 
standing with National Headquarters and 
in the Branch shall not be permitted to 
participate in the discussion of, or vote on, 
any question before the Branch. 

Sec. 5. Failure to comply with regula- 

71 



tions and instructions issued by the Na- 
tional Executive, State Council or Local 
Council shall entail penalties as provided 
for in the Constitution. 

Sec. 6. Any resolution passed by the 
Branch relating to matters of principle 
or policy shall not be published unless and 
until approved by its respective Local 
Council or State Council, or by the Na- 
tional Executive. 

Sec 7. The Branch may by a two-thirds 
vote at a regular meeting adopt addi- 
tional By-Laws for the conduct of its 
own affairs. Notice of such shall be 
given at previous regular meeting of the 
Branch. Said By-Laws shall be in ac- 
cordance with the letter and spirit of the 
Constitution. They shall not be effect- 
ive unless and until ratified by the Na- 
tional Executive. 

Sec. 8. These By-Laws shall be auto- 
matically amended to conform with all 
provisions of the National Constitution 
and By-Laws, as the same may be in 
force from time to time. 



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